Unpaired devices

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a user device comprising an output component configured to deliver an experience to a user in a standalone mode of the user device and an input component configured to receive a notification of an event. The device also comprises an indication generator for generating an indication for transmission over an air interface in response to receiving the input. The indication comprises an identifier relating to the event. Further, the device comprises a processing component configured to receive a message from a network node via a network. The message indicates that a media device has detected the identifier, and also comprises information of the media device. The processing component is configured to process the message received from the network to enable transfer of at least part of the experience to the media device.

BACKGROUND

Conventional communication systems allow the user of a device, such as apersonal computer or mobile device, to conduct voice or video calls overa packet-based computer network such as the Internet. Such communicationsystems include voice or video over internet protocol (VoIP) systems.These systems are beneficial to the user as they are often ofsignificantly lower cost than conventional fixed line or mobile cellularnetworks. This may particularly be the case for long-distancecommunication. To use a VoIP system, the user installs and executesclient software on their device. The client software sets up the VoIPconnections as well as providing other functions such as registrationand authentication. In addition to voice communication, the client mayalso set up connections for other communication media such as instantmessaging (“IM”), SMS messaging, file transfer and voicemail.

Recently, internet capabilities and functionality has been integratedinto a television set (often referred to as a “Smart TV”), or into aset-top box arranged to be connected to a television set. This includesthe integration of client software into a television set to enablecommunications over a packet-based computer network such as theInternet.

The embedding of a packet-based communication client in a TV has theadvantage that a large screen is present, which can be utilised forvideo calling. Furthermore, significant processing power can be providedin the TV, particular as the power requirements for a large, mainselectricity powered consumer electronics device are less stringent than,for example mobile devices. This enables a full range of features to beincluded in the embedded communication client, such as high qualityvoice and video encoding.

It is also known to integrate hardware devices into a Smart TV. Forexample, a microphone may be integrated into a smart TV which arecapable of always listening to the environment of the Smart TV (forexample a room of a house) to enable the Smart TV to react to voicecommands.

SUMMARY

There is provided a user device comprising an output componentconfigured to deliver an experience to a user in a standalone mode ofthe user device and an input component configured to receive anotification of an event. The device also comprises an indicationgenerator for generating an indication for transmission over an airinterface in response to receiving said input. The indication comprisesan identifier relating to the event. Further, the device comprises aprocessing component configured to receive a message from a network nodevia a network. The message indicates that a media device has detectedsaid identifier, and also comprises information of the media device. Theprocessing component is also configured to process said message receivedfrom the network node and to provide a selectable option to a user ofthe user device via the output component. The selectable option isprovided in dependence on said information of the media device. Theprocessing component is configured to detect selection of the option bythe user and to initiate a paired mode of the user device bytransferring at least part of the experience to the media device.

There is also provided a media device comprising a detection componentconfigured to directly detect an indication output from a user deviceover an air interface, said indication comprising an identifier relatingto an event at the user device. The media device also comprises aprocessing component configured to decode the identifier in saidindication and transmit a message to a network node via a network. Themessage indicates the presence of the media device to the network node.The processing component is also configured to initiate a paired mode ofthe media device to receive a transfer of at least part of an experiencedelivered at the user device to the media device. The media devicefurther comprises an output component configured to deliver said atleast part of the experience to a user of the media device.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show howthe same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way ofexample, to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a communication system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a media device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a user device;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a method;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only.

Disclosed herein are techniques which enable a media device (e.g. TV) tolisten for known audio tones, generated in response to an event, anddetect invisible audio marks generated by a service provider that areplayed on secondary user devices (e.g. smart phones). Options arepresented on how to interact with the event and device. Alternatively oradditionally, the device may be to operable to watch for known visualindicators (e.g. QR codes), generated in response to an event.

The user device has an output component configured to deliver anexperience to a user in a standalone mode of the user device. Forinstance, the user device may deliver a standalone experience version ofa communication client to the user. At least a part of the experiencecan be transferred to the media device, so as to deliver a “companionapp” style experience, by generating and transmitting an indication ofan event.

The media device has an output component configured to deliver said atleast part of the experience to the user. For instance, the media devicemay have an output component in the form of a large screen which is usedto deliver a large-screen experience version of a communication clientto the user.

FIG. 1 shows a communication system 100 comprising a second user 102(“User A”) who is associated with a second user device 104 and a firstuser 112 (“User B”) who is in the vicinity of a media device 110, whichis a television (“TV”) 110 in this embodiment.

It is common place for there to be one or more other devices in the sameenvironment as a TV. These other devices are referred to herein as“companion devices” for reasons which will be described in more detailbelow. For example in a living room companion devices such as smartphones and laptop computers may also be present. FIG. 1 illustrates suchan example of a companion device as a laptop computer 114. Whilst FIG. 1shows a single companion user device 114 in addition to the TV 110, itwill be appreciated that a plurality of companion devices may be presentin the vicinity of the TV 110.

Often the presence of these devices is transient and the user would notwant to make a permanent connection with the TV 110, nor would they wantto log into the TV 110 in any traditional form.

Disclosed herein is a television which listens for audio events(identifications) on these other devices and which can pick up on uniquetemporary audio identifiers sent by a service provider to be injectedinto an audio stream played-out from one of these other devices. Oncedetected, the TV then signals to the service provider's backend what itscapabilities are and what identifier it can hear.

The service operator's backend uses this to signal back to the originaldevice that there is a large screen (TV) in vicinity and what it can do(i.e. the TV's capabilities).

Examples of this could be in a video call scenario where the TV wouldhear the audio watermark of a calling application. By signalling to thebackend that it can hear this, the companion device can be prompted togive options to answer the call on the TV or if the call has alreadystarted to transfer the call to the TV. As this is a temporary event theconnection is only present for the duration of the call.

Other examples would be the purposeful generation of a tone on a laptopto enable a temporary pairing between that laptop and a large screen toshare a presentation.

The user device 104 can communicate over a network 106 in thecommunication system 100 with the companion user device 114 or the TV110, thereby allowing the users 102 and 112 to communicate with eachother over the network 106.

The communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a packet-basedcommunication system, but other types of communication system could beused. The network 106 may, for example, be the Internet. Each of theuser devices 104 and 114 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet,a laptop, a personal computer (“PC”) (including, for example, Windows™,Mac OS™ and Linux™ PCs), a gaming device, a personal digital assistant(“PDA”) or other embedded device able to connect to the network 106. Theuser devices 104 and companion device 114 are arranged to receiveinformation from and output information to the user of the respectivedevice. The user devices 104 and companion device 114 comprise outputmeans such as a display and speakers. The user device 104 and companiondevice 114 also comprise input means such as a keypad, a touch-screen,mouse, a microphone for receiving audio signals and/or a camera forcapturing images of a video signal. The user devices 104 and thecompanion device 114 are connected to the network 106. For atouch-screen, the user may input commands by way of swipes or gestures.

Note that in alternative embodiments, the user device 104 and companiondevice 114 can connect to the network 106 via additional intermediatenetworks not shown in FIG. 1. For example, if the user device 104 is amobile device, then it can connect to the network 106 via a cellularmobile network, not shown in FIG. 1.

The user device 104, companion device 114, and the TV 110 each executean instance of a communication client 108, provided by a softwareprovider associated with the communication system 100. The communicationclient is a software program executed on a local processor in therespective device. The client performs the processing required at thedevice in order for the device to transmit and receive data over thecommunication system 100.

Communication system 100 also comprises a back-end server 120 associatedwith a service provider (e.g. an operator of network 106). Both device114 and TV 110 are operable to communicate with back-end server 120 overnetwork 106. Although shown as a single server, it will be appreciatedthat the functionality of server 120 may be divided between any numberof suitable computing devices.

Each communication client 108 a, 108 b, 108 c has a log in/registrationfacility which associates the user device 104, TV 110 and companiondevice with a particular respective user. Users can have communicationclient instances running on other devices associated with the same login/registration details.

In the case where the same user, having a particular username, can besimultaneously logged in to multiple instances of the same clientapplication on different terminals, back-end server 120 is arranged tomap the username (user ID) to all of those multiple instances but alsoto map a separate sub-identifier (sub-ID) to each particular individualinstance. Thus the communication system is capable of distinguishingbetween the different instances whilst still maintaining a consistentidentity for the user within the communication system.

User 102 is logged-in at device 104 as “User A”. User 112 is logged-inat device 114 as “User B”, but need not be logged-in at TV 110. Forinstance, in a conference room scenario, TV 110 may be logged on (e.g.)as “Company X”. As described in more detail below, user 112 has theoption of transferring at least a part of an experience from device 114to TV 110, without having to log-in as “User B” at TV 110 and withouthaving to log-out “Company X” at TV 110.

In alternative embodiment, user 112 is logged-on as (e.g.) “User B” atboth device 114 and TV 110 (although, as discussed, this is notrequired). In these embodiments, an enhanced experience could beoffered, (e.g.) with the user 112 able to add other users to a callconducted using TV 110 using techniques which are known in the art.

The TV 110 is connected to the network 106 via a network interface suchas a modem. The TV 110 shown in FIG. 1 is a standalone unit, but itshould be appreciated that a separate TV and set-top box (STB) or otherTV-connected device can also be used.

The TV 110 is executing an embedded communication client 108 b (clientengine). Note that in alternative embodiments, the embeddedcommunication client can be executed in a STB. The embeddedcommunication client 108 b comprises software executed on a localprocessor in the TV 110.

The TV 110 is arranged to receive information from and outputinformation to the user 112. A remote control unit may act as an inputdevice operated by the user 112 for the control of the TV 110. The TV110 can also receive broadcast television signals, and display these asvideo (television programmes) to the user on the TV screen. Thebroadcast television signals can be delivered by terrestrial, satelliteor cable broadcasting, and be in the form of analogue signals or digitaldata.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates the hardware andsoftware functional blocks embedded in the TV 110. The TV 110 comprisesa number of output components including a and at least one speaker 212.The screen 202 is for displaying images to the user 112 and is driven byvideo driver hardware 204 arranged to convert video signals into theform required to be correctly displayed on the screen 202. The videodriver hardware 204 is provided with digital video data from two framebuffers 206 and 208. The frame buffers 206 and 208 are storage devicesthat buffer video data that is to be displayed to the user. Frame buffer2 (“FB2”) 208 receives standard TV video signals, as is known for thedisplay of broadcast TV. Frame buffer 1 (“FB1”) 206 stores video datarelated to the packet-based communication client, as will be describedpresently. An audio amplifier 210 receives TV audio signals andamplifies these for output through at least one speaker 212.

The TV audio and video input signals themselves originate fromtelevision signals broadcast via any suitable means such as a satelliterepeater stations, wireless terrestrial repeater stations or cable; andreceived by a television receiver unit of the TV 100 (not shown). Notethat broadcasting is distinct from point-to-point communication,including being distinct from multicasting (i.e. point-to-multipoint).In broadcasting, signals are transmitted indiscriminately, i.e.regardless of whether the user has selected to receive the signal(although a decryption key or such like may still be required so thatonly authorised users can access the broadcast); whereas inpoint-to-point communication, signals must be requested by the user orusers receiving them. Or put another way, to receive a broadcast a usersimply “tunes in” without needing to send any signal to the broadcaster,whereas to establish a point-to-point connection then signals must beexchanged between the user and broadcaster.

The TV receiver unit may comprise for example an antenna, satellite dishor cable input; sampling circuitry; a filter; a low noise amplifier; amixer, and/or an analogue to digital converter. After being received bythe receiver unit, the signals are then processed by a signal processingapparatus (also not shown) before being input to the frame buffers andamplifiers of FIG. 1. Such signal processing is well known to personsskilled in the art and is therefore not discussed in detail herein.

The packet-based communication client embedded in the TV 110 is basedaround four main elements. These four elements are shown as softwareelements that are stored in a memory and executed on a processor,although alternatives are envisaged. The four elements are: a clientengine 214; an audio engine 216; a video engine 217; and a TV userinterface 218.

The client engine 214 is responsible for setting up connections to thepacket-based communication system. This is performed via a connectionfrom the TV 110 to the network 106. The TV 110 is connected to thenetwork 106 via a network interface 122 such as a modem, and theconnection between the TV 110 and the network interface may be via acable (wired) connection or a wireless connection. The client engine 214performs call set-up, authentication, encryption and connectionmanagement, as well as other functions relating to the packet-basedcommunication system such as firewall traversal, presence stateupdating, and contact list management.

The audio engine 216 is responsible for the encoding of voice signalsinput to the TV 100 via a microphone 228 as VoIP packets fortransmission over the network 106 and the decoding of VoIP packetsreceived from the network 106 for presentation as audio information tothe user 112 of the TV 110. The microphone 228 may be integrated intothe TV 110 or be connected to the TV 110 by way of a wired or wirelessconnection.

The video engine 217 is responsible for the encoding of video signalsinput to the TV (e.g. from a webcam 220 or other video camera) as videopackets for transmission over the network 106 in a video call, and thedecoding of video packets received from the network 106 in a video callfor presentation as video images to the user 112 of the TV 110. Thewebcam 220 may be integrated into the TV 110 or be connected to the TV110 by way of a wired or wireless connection.

The TV user interface (“UI”) 218 is responsible for presenting visualinformation to the user 112 of the TV 110 in the form of a graphicaluser interface displayed on the TV screen 202.

The client engine 214 is connected to the TV UI 218 in order to controlwhat the UI displays to the user. The client engine 214 is also closelyintegrated with the audio engine 216 and video engine 217 for theefficient transmission and receiving of voice and video packets over thenetwork 106.

The video engine 217 is connected to FB2 208 for providing video data tobe displayed on the TV screen 202.

The TV UI 218 is connected to FB1 206, so that the graphical userinterface data is buffered and ultimately displayed to the user on thescreen 202. The TV UI 218 is also connected to the amplifier 210,enabling sound (such as voice signals or notifications) to be producedfrom the TV speakers 212. The TV UI 218 may also be connected to aninfra-red (“IR”) receiver 224 and/or a Bluetooth transceiver 126 whichare used for communicating with a remote control unit.

Note that if the embedded communication client is provided in the formof a STB (or other TV-connected device) for connection to a TV, then thesystem in FIG. 1 differs only in that the screen 202, amplifier 210,speaker 212, webcam 220 and microphone 228 blocks are located in the TVitself, whereas the remaining functional blocks are located in the settop box, which is connected to the TV.

Client engine 214 comprises an audio monitoring application 230, whichreceives inputs from microphone 228, and a video monitoring application232, which receives inputs from camera 220. Monitoring applications 230,232 are operable to analyse their respective inputs.

The TV 110 is configured so at to continuously listen to itsenvironment. That is, TV 110 is configured so as to repeatedly captureaudio signals using microphone 228 which are input to audio monitoringapplication 230 for analysis.

The TV 110 is also configured so as to continuously watch itsenvironment. That is, TV 110 is configured so as to repeatedly capturevideo signals using camera 220 which are input to video monitoringapplication 232 for analysis.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of the user device 114 on which isexecuted a communication client instance 306 for communicating over thecommunication system 100. The user device 114 comprises a centralprocessing unit (“CPU”) or “processing module” 302, to which isconnected: output devices such as a display 308, which may beimplemented as a touch-screen, and a speaker (or “loudspeaker”) 310 foroutputting audio signals; input devices such as a microphone 312 forreceiving audio signals, a camera 316 for receiving image data, and akeypad 318; a memory 314 for storing data; and a network interface 320such as a modem for communication with the network 106. The user device114 may comprise other elements than those shown in FIG. 2. The display308, speaker 310, microphone 312, memory 314, camera 316, keypad 318 andnetwork interface 320 may be integrated into the user device 104 asshown in FIG. 2. In alternative user devices one or more of the display308, speaker 310, microphone 312, memory 314, camera 316, keypad 318 andnetwork interface 320 may not be integrated into the user device 114 andmay be connected to the CPU 302 via respective interfaces. One exampleof such an interface is a USB interface. If the connection of the userdevice 114 to the network 106 via the network interface 320 is awireless connection then the network interface 320 may include anantenna for wirelessly transmitting signals to the network 106 andwirelessly receiving signals from the network 106.

FIG. 3 also illustrates an operating system (“OS”) 304 executed on theCPU 302. Running on top of the OS 304 is the software of the clientinstance 306 of the communication system 100. The operating system 304manages the hardware resources of the computer and handles data beingtransmitted to and from the network 106 via the network interface 320.The client 306 communicates with the operating system 304 and managesthe connections over the communication system. The client 306 has aclient user interface which is used to present information to the user112 and to receive information from the user 112. In this way, theclient 306 performs the processing required to allow the user 102 tocommunicate over the communication system 100.

A method 400 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. The methodenables device 114 to act as a companion device to TV 110, withoutrequiring any pre-existing relationship between them i.e. the device 114and 110 can be “strangers” to one another. Device 114 and TV 110 aretemporarily paired (that is, paired mode is initiated at both) as partof the described method.

As discussed, device 114 delivers an experience to user 112 via one ormore output components.

At step S402, back end server sends a message to client 108 c executedon device 114 comprising a unique identifier. The unique identifieridentifies the device 114 within the communication system 100. To thisend, back-end server 120 is operable to store the unique identifier inassociation with a network address of device 114.

Device 114 is configured to receive a notification of an event. At stepS404, an event triggers the companion device 114 to output an indication406 of the event in which the unique identifier is encoded over an airinterface. The event may, for example be a communication event such asan incoming voice or video call received at the companion device 114from user device 104 (in which case the notification is received vianetwork 106 from user device 104 or back-end server 120).

Alternatively, the event may be an input from user 112 (in which casethe notification is received via an input means of device 114), in whichcase user 112 requests an identifier from back-end server 120. That is,responsive to the user input, the client 108 c generates and transmits arequest for an identifier to server 120 which returns an identifier inresponse. This is applicable in the case of a screen sharing scenario inwhich a user goes in a meeting room and wants to share a presentationfrom (e.g.) their Personal Computer (PC) with a TV/Monitor in theconference room. User 112 selects an option on their PC client thatrequests an identifier from server 12. The PC transmits (e.g. plays) theindicator and, when the TV/Monitor receives (e.g. hears) the indicator,the option to screenshare is given which the user then selects.

The indication may be in the form of an audio indication (alert) playedout via speaker 310 and/or a visual indication displayed via display308.

The indication is detectable by, and recognizable to, TV 110 such thatTV 110 is able to identify and decode the unique identifier encoded inthe indication.

In embodiments where the indication is an audio alert 406, played outthrough speaker 310, the unique identifier is encoded as an inaudible(sonic) watermark. Techniques for encoding and decoding information inthe form of inaudible watermarks are known in the art.

This allows user 112 to select (e.g.) a customized ringtone for incomingcalls (i.e. which need not be recognizable to TV 110 per se) to beplayed out on receipt of a call. Before playing out the ringtone as anaudio stream in response to an incoming call, client 306 injects thewatermark into the audio stream. Thus, the audio alert played out thoughspeaker 312 has both an audible component which serves to inform theuser of the incoming call and an inaudible component which serves tocommunicate the unique identifier to the TV 110.

At step S408, the audio alert is captured by microphone 228 (which, asdiscussed, is constantly listening to its environment) as an audiosignal which is input to, and analysed by, audio monitoring application230. Monitoring application 320 detects the inaudible watermark anddecodes it in order to extract the unique identifier.

At step S410, client 108 b executed on TV 110 sends a message to anetwork node, (back-end server 120 in this embodiment) via network 106.The message indicates to the back-end server that the TV 110 hasdetected the inaudible watermark. Along with the message, the TV 110sends the unique identifier itself as well as an indication of its owncapability, for instance in the form of a set of device capabilities(which could include an indication of whether it can accept video calls,whether it is capable of screen sharing, screen size among others).

At step S412, back-end server sends a message to client 108 c of device114 over network 106 with details of the TV 100 (including itscapabilities). In response thereto, device 114 is operable to display(step S414) selectable options to user 112 for interacting with TV 110using companion device 114 (via network 106). At step At step S416, user112 selects from the displayed options which initiates a (temporary)paired mode of device 114 and TV 110 by transferring at least part ofthe experience to TV 110.

For example, if the event is communication event received at thecompanion device 114 (such as an incoming voice or video call) from aremote calling user (such as user 102), one of the options displayed ondevice 114 may be to transfer the communication event to the TV 110instead (i.e. to answer, or continue, the call at the TV rather than onthe device 114). Once the user selects the option to transfer thecommunication event, the device 114 may send a message to the callinguser comprising a network address of TV 110 so that a network connectioncan be established between the calling user and the TV 110, therebyallowing the call to be transferred to the TV. That is, such that thecall can be transferred from “User B”, logged-in at companion device114, to “Company X”, logged-in at TV 110.

The call may be transferred to TV 110 before it is established (e.g.during a “ringing” period) and then established at TV 110.Alternatively, the call may be first established at device 114 and thentransferred later (i.e. during the call).

Another example would be an option to instigate screen sharing betweenthe companion device 114 (logged-in as “User B”) and the TV 110(logged-in as “Company X”) i.e. to allow a current image displayed ondisplay 308 of device 114 to be communicated to TV 110 via network 106for display on screen 202.

The user identifier may form part of a communication event received atdevice 114. For instance, in the case of an incoming call, the uniqueidentifier is communicated to device 144 along with the call.

Alternatively or additionally, the user may be able to select an optionto purposively generate an audio alert in order to establish aconnection with TV 110 (e.g. for screen-sharing between companion device114 and TV 110), in which case the device 114 requests a temporaryidentifier from back-end server 120 to be encoded as an inaudiblewatermark.

It is envisaged that only a part of the experience is transferred to theTV 110, with the device 114 delivering the remainder of the experience.For instance, device 114 may have established both a video call withuser 102 and screen-sharing with user 102 via network 106. User 112 mayelect to transfer the screen-sharing to TV 110, such that user 112 cancontinue the video call using device 114 and view an image of device104's display on the TV 110.

Another scenario in which only part of an experience is transferred toTV 110 is a screen sharing scenario between device 114 and TV 110. Inthis instance, a standalone experience is initially delivered to user112 which involves displaying an image on display 308. In establishingscreen sharing as described above, part of that experience istransferred to, and delivered by, TV 110 (which involves displaying thesame image on screen 202) with device 112 delivering the remainder ofthe experience (as it also continues to display the same image on screen308).

It is also envisaged that whole experiences could be transferred fromdevice 114 to TV 110, e.g. if a communication event is transferred to TV110 from device 114 and then conducted using only TV 110 (and not device114).

As will be appreciated, there is no requirement for device 114 and TV110 to be “paired” in any traditional sense (such as Bluetooth pairing),as the method allows for temporary pairing via the exchange ofidentifiers. Device 114 and TV 110 can therefore be unknown to oneanother. The only direct communication between device 114 and TV 110 isvia the exchange of audio signals. This does not require any form ofauthentication (such as generating shared secrets, log-in etc.), therebyallowing “stranger” devices to establish a companion relationshipquickly and efficiently, with minimal user input required. Thereafter,any further communication takes place via network 106.

The unique identifier may be temporary in the sense that, subsequent tothe call, screen-sharing etc., the identifier may be disassociated fromdevice 114 such that it can no longer be used to establish a connectionwith device 114. This may be desirable (e.g.) in a conference roomsetting in which a visiting user may wish to instigate screen sharingbetween a tablet device and a conference room TV temporarily (vianetwork 106), but has no desire to establish a permanent relationshiptherewith.

In alternative embodiments, an event may trigger a visual indicationsuch as a Quick Response (QR) code to be displayed on display 308 ofdevice 144, instead of or in addition to an audio alert, with the uniqueidentifier encoded in the QR code. Techniques for achieving this areknown in the art. Providing the display 308 is visible to camera 220,the TV 110 will capture image data of the visual indication (asdiscussed, TV 110 is constantly watching its environment) and decode theidentifier in the visual indication. For instance, in embodiments wheredevice 114 is a smart phone, user 112 can direct the display 308 towardscamera 220. Video monitoring application 232 then analyses the capturedimage data, detects the visual indication, and determines that the eventhas occurred. Thereafter, the method proceeds as described above (fromS410 onwards).

Generally, any of the functions described herein (e.g. the functionalmodules shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the functional steps shown in FIG.4) can be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixedlogic circuitry), or a combination of these implementations. The modulesand steps shown separately in FIGS. 2 and 3 may or may not beimplemented as separate modules or steps. The terms “module,”“functionality,” “component” and “logic” as used herein generallyrepresent software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. In thecase of a software implementation, the module, functionality, or logicrepresents program code that performs specified tasks when executed on aprocessor (e.g. CPU or CPUs). The program code can be stored in one ormore computer readable memory devices. The features of the techniquesdescribed herein are platform-independent, meaning that the techniquesmay be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms havinga variety of processors. For example, the user devices may also includean entity (e.g. software) that causes hardware of the user devices toperform operations, e.g., processors functional blocks, and so on. Forexample, the user devices may include a computer-readable medium thatmay be configured to maintain instructions that cause the user devices,and more particularly the operating system and associated hardware ofthe user devices to perform operations. Thus, the instructions functionto configure the operating system and associated hardware to perform theoperations and in this way result in transformation of the operatingsystem and associated hardware to perform functions. The instructionsmay be provided by the computer-readable medium to the user devicesthrough a variety of different configurations.

One such configuration of a computer-readable medium is signal bearingmedium and thus is configured to transmit the instructions (e.g. as acarrier wave) to the computing device, such as via a network. Thecomputer-readable medium may also be configured as a computer-readablestorage medium and thus is not a signal bearing medium. Examples of acomputer-readable storage medium include a random-access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), an optical disc, flash memory, hard disk memory,and other memory devices that may us magnetic, optical, and othertechniques to store instructions and other data.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

In particular, whist the embodiments described above have been describedwith reference to a TV with an embedded communication client, it shouldbe understood that the client can also be embedded into another type ofmedia device for connection to a TV, such a set top box, a games consoleor video playback device (e.g. a video disc player or a personal videorecorder).

Further, whilst the embodiments described above have been described withreferences to particular experiences delivered by a communicationclient, it will be appreciated that typical user device are operable toexecute versions of many different applications or “apps”, each of whichcan deliver a particular experience appropriate to that device.Similarly, typical media devices are also operable to execute(potentially different) versions of those applications or “apps” whichoffer alternative experiences. It will be appreciated that the claimedsubject matter is broadly applicable to all such experiences, bothallowing transfer of an entire experience delivered by a user device toa media device such that the experience is offered by the media devicein its entirety in the form of an alternative experience thereafter, andallowing partial transfer of an experience from a user device to a mediadevice such that part of the experience is delivered by the media deviceand the remainder of the experience is delivered by the user devicethereafter, with the user device and media device acting in conjunctionto deliver the experience as a whole.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A user device comprising: an outputcomponent configured to deliver an experience to a user in a standalonemode of the user device; an input component configured to receive anotification of an event; an indication generator for generating anindication played out over a speaker of the user device in response toreceiving said input, said indication comprising an identifier relatingto the event, the indication being effective to enable a media device topair with the user device for the identified event; and a processingcomponent configured to: receive a message from a network node via anetwork, said message indicating that the media device has detected saididentifier, and comprising information of the media device; process saidmessage received from the network node and provide a selectable optionto a user of the user device via the output component, said selectableoption provided in dependence on said information of the media device;and detect selection of the option by the user and to initiate a pairedmode of the user device by transferring at least part of the experienceto the media device.
 2. A user device according to claim 1, wherein theoutput component comprises a display.
 3. A user device according toclaim 1, wherein the indication is generated as an audio indication. 4.A media device according to claim 3, wherein the identifier comprises asonic watermark.
 5. A user device according to claim 1, wherein theoutput component is configured to output the indication as a visualindication.
 6. A media device according to claim 5, wherein theidentifier comprises a Quick Response code.
 7. A user device accordingto claim 1, wherein the event is a communication event received from thenetwork node via the network.
 8. A user device according to claim 7,wherein the identifier is received in said communication event.
 9. Auser device according to claim 1, wherein the event is an input from theuser of the user device.
 10. A user device according to claim 9, whereinthe indication generator requests, from the network node, saididentifier for insertion into said indication in response to receivingsaid event.
 11. A user device according to claim 1, wherein theprocessing component is configured to execute a communication client toestablish a communication event with a second user device via a network.12. A user device according to claim 11, wherein the processingcomponent is configured to transfer the communication event to the mediadevice based on the detected selection of the option by the user.
 13. Auser device according to claim 11, wherein the output componentcomprises a display and the processing component is configured totransfer image data displayed on said display to the media device viathe network.
 14. A user device according to claim 1, wherein saidinformation of the media device comprises information pertaining tocapabilities of the media device.
 15. A user device according to claim1, wherein said at least part of the experience is transferred to themedia device via the network when the user device is operating in saidpaired mode.
 16. A media device comprising: a detection componentconfigured to directly detect an indication of an identifier of an eventoutput from a speaker of a user device, said identifier relating to anevent at the user device, the indication being effective to enable themedia device to pair with the user device for the identified event; aprocessing component configured to decode the identifier in saidindication; transmit a message to a network node via a network, themessage indicating the presence of the media device to the network node;and receive a transfer of at least part of an experience configured tobe delivered at the user device when the user device operates in astandalone mode, at the media device; and an output component configuredto deliver said at least part of the experience to a user of the mediadevice.
 17. A media device according to claim 16, wherein the detectioncomponent comprises a microphone for detecting an audio indication. 18.A media device according to claim 17, wherein the identifier comprises asonic watermark.
 19. A media device according to claim 16, wherein thedetection component further comprises a camera to detect a visualindication that includes the identifier.
 20. A method of transferring atleast part of an experience configured to be delivered at a user devicewhen the user device operates in a standalone mode, to a media device,method comprising: at the media device, directly detecting an indicationof an identifier of an event output from a speaker of the user device,said identifier relating to an event, the indication being effective toenable the media device to pair with the user device for the identifiedevent; decoding the identifier in said indication; transmitting amessage to a network node via a network, the message indicating thepresence of the media device to the network node and comprising thedecoded identifier and information pertaining to capabilities of themedia device; receiving a transfer of said at least part of anexperience, at the media device; and delivering said at least part ofthe experience to a user of the media device via an output component ofthe media device.
 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the outputcomponent comprises a display.
 22. A method according to claim 20,wherein the indication is generated as an audio indication.
 23. A methodaccording to claim 22, wherein the identifier comprises a sonicwatermark.
 24. A method according to claim 20, wherein the user deviceis configured to output the indication as a visual indication.
 25. Amethod according to claim 24, wherein the identifier comprises a QuickResponse code.
 26. A method according to claim 20, wherein the event isa communication event received from the network node via the network.27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the identifier is receivedin said communication event.
 28. A method according to claim 20, whereinthe event is an input from the user of the user device.
 29. A methodaccording to claim 28, wherein the user device requests, from thenetwork node, said identifier for insertion into said indication inresponse to receiving said event.
 30. A method according to claim 20,wherein the user device is configured to execute a communication clientto establish a communication event with a second user device via thenetwork.
 31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the user device isconfigured to display a selectable option based on said information ofthe media device and the user device is configured to transfer thecommunication event to the media device based on detecting selection ofthe option by the user.
 32. A method according to claim 30, wherein theuser device comprises a display and the user device is configured totransfer image data displayed on said display to the media device viathe network.